The Dismemberment Plan

The Dismemberment Plan
Company type	Indie rock group
Industry	Music
Founded	January 1, 1993; 33 years ago
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Products	Music albums, singles, EPs

The Dismemberment Plan is a U.S.-based indie rock group that originated in Washington, D.C. on January 1, 1993. Often referred to as D-Plan or simply the Plan, their name was drawn from a line in the 1993 movie Groundhog Day. The lineup consists of Eric Axelson (bass), Jason Caddell (guitar), Joe Easley (drums), and Travis Morrison (handling both vocals and guitar). Axelson, Caddell, Morrison, along with original drummer Steve Cummings, formed the band during their college years after attending high schools in northern Virginia together. Following their debut album !, Cummings departed and Easley joined, establishing the enduring group formation.

Before disbanding in 2003, The Dismemberment Plan produced four albums, with the 1999 release Emergency & I receiving widespread critical praise. They reunited intermittently for tours and eventually released their fifth studio effort, Uncanney Valley, in 2013.

1993–2003: Initial era

Apart from a short stint between 1998 and 1999 under Interscope Records, the band primarily recorded through Washington, D.C.-based indie label DeSoto Records. Their landmark album Emergency & I was created during their Interscope tenure but ultimately issued via DeSoto after their contract ended. The sole Interscope release was the EP titled The Ice of Boston. This arrangement allowed them to utilize a major label's budget without incurring debt or obligations—a circumstance they described as "slipping through the cracks".

Following the underground acclaim of Emergency & I, they gained increased exposure by opening for Pearl Jam on their European tour in 2000. In 2002, a co-headlining tour with Death Cab for Cutie, known as the "Death and Dismemberment Tour," broadened their audience and encouraged artistic exchange. Later that year, tracks from their last two albums were made available online for fan remixing, culminating in the 2003 release of A People's History of the Dismemberment Plan. On January 19, 2003, they declared their intention to disband after completing planned tours. Their final concerts included a rain-interrupted July 28 show at Washington D.C.'s Fort Reno Park and a sold-out farewell performance on September 1 at the iconic 9:30 Club. By that time, both Emergency & I and Change had each sold roughly 22,000 copies within the United States.

2003–2010: Activities following breakup

Post-breakup, Morrison transformed songs written after Change into his solo debut album, Travistan, released in 2004. Meanwhile, Eric Axelson co-founded Maritime alongside former members of The Promise Ring, producing three albums between 2004 and 2007.

On March 1, 2007, The Dismemberment Plan announced a one-time reunion concert scheduled for April 28 at Washington D.C.'s Black Cat. This charity event supported Callum Robbins, son of J. Robbins. Due to rapid ticket sales, a second show was added on April 27. Morrison remarked that this reunion was unlikely to evolve beyond occasional get-togethers.

2010–2015: Initial Reunion and Uncanney Valley

On September 13, 2010, The Washington Post announced the band's reunion tour, coinciding with Barsuk Records' re-release of their 1999 album Emergency & I. Bassist Eric Axelson emphasized that no new album was planned at that time, though additional performances remained a possibility. The 2011 tour featured their debut on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, several concerts in the D.C. area, and appearances at events such as the Pitchfork Music Festival and Philadelphia's "Roots Picnic."

During August 2012, the group performed intimate gigs in Baltimore and Fredericksburg, Va, showcasing eight previously unheard tracks. Travis Morrison confirmed that the band was actively developing new material and engaged in recording discussions. They also took part in the Virgin FreeFest in October along with supporting shows.

On July 16, 2013, the band unveiled "Waiting," the lead single from their fifth studio album, Uncanney Valley. This was followed by the release of singles "Invisible" and "Daddy Was a Real Good Dancer" in August and September respectively. The full album was officially released on October 15 through Partisan Records.

In November 2013, The Dismemberment Plan performed at the final All Tomorrow's Parties holiday camp festival held in England. After a New Year's Eve show in Boston to ring in 2014, the band entered another hiatus with no further updates regarding their status.

Since 2023: Second Reunion

On January 31, 2024, The Dismemberment Plan surprised fans by releasing a cover of Circus Lupus's "Unrequited" as part of Yesterday & Today: DC Does Dischord, a tribute compilation honoring Dischord Records. This track had been recorded earlier in August 2023. Later that year, the band announced a series of six reunion concerts beginning in September, marking their first live performances in nearly ten years. These shows commemorate the 25th anniversary of Emergency & I and conclude with appearances at Las Vegas’s Best Friends Forever festival and New York City's United Sounds festival.

Musical style and influences

The Dismemberment Plan is widely regarded as an indie rock band with emo influences, distinguished by an unconventional sound shaped by elements of R&B and dance music.

Discography

Studio albums

! (1995)
The Dismemberment Plan Is Terrified (1997)
Emergency & I (1999)
Change (2001)
Uncanney Valley (2013)

Live album

Live In Japan 2011 (2011)

EPs

Can We Be Mature? (1994)
The Ice of Boston (1998)
Juno & the Dismemberment Plan (Split EP) (2000)

Compilations and appearances

Give Me the Cure (1996)
Ooh Do I Love You (1996)
Fort Reno Benefit (1997)
A People's History of the Dismemberment Plan (2003)
Yesterday & Today: DC Does Dischord (2024)

Singles

"What Do You Want Me to Say?" / "Since You Died" (1997)
"Waiting" (2013)
"Invisible" (2013)
"Daddy Was a Real Good Dancer" (2013)

External links

The Dismemberment Plan on Partisan Records